You've reached your free article limit.

Become a Soccer America Pro member today to get complete website access to all articles and all discussions and receive all of Soccer America’s newsletters for just $2.91 for three months.

This premium subscription level includes Soccer America Daily, Soccer on TV, Soccer Talk, the Game Report and Soccer America Confidential. Soccer America Pro members may read, share and comment on all articles from these paid premium newsletters.

Your email address has been verified. Enjoy your free articles.

MLS: Top-end salaries jump thanks to TAM

While the number of MLS players making more than $1 million a year in guaranteed compensation has increased by a third from 21 to 28 players in two years, there has been a noticeable increase in the
number of players making above the league maximum and below $1 million -- from 24 to 58 players -- since Targeted Allocation Money spending was injected.

MLS Maximums:2015 Cap: $436,2502017 Cap: $480,625

Each club is allowed three Designated Players -- players making about the
maximum of $480,625 in total compensation and acquisition costs in 2017.

Targeted Allocation Money was introduced in 2015 to allow teams to sign additional players making above the
maximum but less than $1 million and use TAM to "buy down" their total compensation and acquisition costs.

In addition to players making above the DP maximum, per MLS Players Union
guaranteed compensation figures released on Tuesday, MLS identities 20 players as being TAM players. Most but not all would have had acquisition costs bought down in order to get them under
maximum.

Chicago and Portland have seven players each making above the league maximum. Of the 86 players making above the league maximum, 25 entered or re-entered MLS in 2017. Just 23 are
eligible for the U.S. national team.